Re: [PyrNet-L] pyr intelligence

[Jack & Charlotte Perry <pyreau@erols.com>]

I do agree with Ann and Jan.  "Intelligence" is pretty subjective.  So many
obedience people equate willingness to respond quickly to the owner's every
wish with intelligence.  Our Pyrs have been bred to make deicisions on their
own....we think that is intelligence.  Our little Pyr Sheps are the hyper,
quick reacting, kind of dog that sits there staring at us waiting to act.....
great for obedience.  It drives me crazy - all that activity and barking!  I
think the Pyrs are a lot mor intelligent, they only move when it is important
(especially in this heat)
Charlotte

"Ann K. Wetherilt" wrote:

> Couldn't agree more, Jan. A breeder-friend once told us she'd placed out
> one of her dogs because, in her words, "if she'd wanted a golden, she'd be
> breeding goldens!" This dog was a real sweetie, anxious to please, did
> everything she told him when she told him. Frankly, I don't think the guy
> who wrote that book on canine intelligence was talking about intelligence
> as much as trainability--not the same thing at all. I've taught Paddington
> and our other pyrs at different times to retrieve a ball etc. In each
> case, they learned it almost immediately, retrieved for me a couple of
> times, then looked at me as if to say, "I brought it back to you as many
> times as I'm going to. If you wanted it, why did you throw it away again?"
> I love the independent thought processes of these dogs, and the way you
> have to figure ways to work together with them, not simply train them to
> follow commands.
> Ann, Peg, Paddington and Ivy Rose
>
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